Hi mums,
I am due to return to full time work March 2nd, and my son will be going to daycare. He will be 1 on March 22nd. He has never been given formula or even a bottle of expressed milk.
He loves food, but loves milk even more. I currently feed on demand. He has anywhere from 1-4 small feeds over night, and during the day will want milk anywhere from 2 hourly to 5 or 6 hourly.
I know I need to start implementing something so that he transitions to daycare easily. Should I buy or hire a pump and offer him a feed or 2 from a bottle to get him used to it? Give him formula? Or could I try him to go without milk while at daycare (9 hours) as he will be 3 weeks off being 1, and will still have milk in the morning, after work and overnight.
I just worry I won't be able to express enough and the cost of the pump, but would rather not give him formula (personal choice - no hate to those who formula feed)
3 Replies
They say they dont need the milk so much after one. Considering he still feeds a bit over night, and he will have some before and after day care, I would just start stretching him out during the day and offer a sippy cup of water more.
Offering bottles of expressed milk or cows milk or alternative is just going to be another habit to break when you dont want to give those to him.
The generally advise one you start doing this, to make aure they have a balance od other dairy such as cheese, yoghurt ect
Regular milk. Breastfeed at home.
I have started all 3 of mine at daycare just shy of 12 months while still breastfed. I transitioned them to a milk alternative in a cup (cow's milk or pea protein for my allergy baby) for daycare. They didnt want it from me at home, but would accept it at care. They did make up for it by feeding a lot overnight the days I worked, then we just breastfed at normal on my days off.